Impact of Vaping on Exercise and Vascular Health in Young Adults

Vaping was linked to reduced exercise performance and impaired blood vessel function in otherwise healthy young adults.

Young adults who regularly use e-cigarettes may experience reduced exercise performance and poorer blood vessel function, even when they are otherwise healthy and physically active, according to a new study published in ERJ Open Research. The findings showed that exclusive e-cigarette users had physiological changes that closely resembled those seen in conventional cigarette smokers, despite having normal lung function (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Reduced vascular function, ventilatory efficiency, and exercise capacity in young adult E-cigarette users

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Among 75 healthy adults aged 18 to 30 years, 25 were exclusive e-cigarette users, 25 were cigarette smokers, and 25 had never smoked. Both vaping and smoking groups had lower blood vessel function, reduced peak exercise capacity, lower oxygen uptake, and reduced ventilation during exercise compared with never-smokers. They also developed higher blood lactate levels, poorer ventilatory efficiency, and experienced more breathlessness and leg discomfort during exercise. Markers linked to vascular inflammation, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and thrombospondin-2, were also higher in the vaping and smoking groups. Despite these differences, all participants had normal resting lung function.

Vaping Reduces Exercise Capacity in Healthy Young Adults

The participants completed detailed exercise testing to evaluate how their hearts, lungs, and muscles responded to increasing physical activity.

Compared with never-smokers, those who vaped or smoked:

• Reached lower maximum exercise workloads
• Had lower peak oxygen consumption
• Became less efficient at breathing during exercise
• Accumulated lactate earlier during physical activity
• Reported greater breathlessness and leg discomfort at similar exercise levels

A young adult who enjoys recreational football or cycling may notice becoming tired sooner, even though routine health checks appear normal.

E-Cigarettes Linked to Poorer Blood Vessel Function

The investigation also measured flow-mediated dilation, a marker of endothelial function that reflects how well blood vessels expand in response to increased blood flow.

Both vaping and smoking groups showed poorer blood vessel function than never-smokers. Higher levels of inflammatory markers were linked with this reduced vascular function, suggesting that changes affecting blood vessels may begin long before obvious cardiovascular or respiratory disease develops.

As stated by lead author Dr. Azmy Faisal, “In active, healthy young adults, electronic cigarettes and tobacco smoking each exhibited impaired resting systemic vascular function and exercise ventilatory responses, contributing to reduced exercise capacity and worse exertional symptoms.”

Why Vaping May Affect Fitness Before Lung Health

Many people choose e-cigarettes believing they are a less harmful alternative, particularly during young adulthood when regular physical activity is common.

Vaping may influence how efficiently the body delivers oxygen and responds to exercise even before standard lung tests show abnormalities. Rather than simply altering nicotine exposure, researchers are beginning to understand that vaping may also influence blood vessel health and physical performance in otherwise healthy individuals.

What This Means for Young Adults Who Vape

The authors note that additional work is needed to understand how these early physiological changes evolve over time and how they may affect cardiovascular, respiratory, and skeletal muscle health. The results also provide information that may help healthcare professionals, policymakers, and young adults make more informed decisions about e-cigarette use.

Looking after your heart and lungs starts with understanding how everyday choices can affect your well-being and physical performance.

Reference:

1. Reduced vascular function, ventilatory efficiency, and exercise capacity in young adult E-cigarette users – (https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erjor/early/2026/04/23/2312054100425-2026)

Source-Medindia